GR IV Snap Focus Issue/Question

[DavidB77]

Hi all,
I’m new to the GR series and just got a Ricoh GR IV.
One of the main features I was looking for was the Snap Focus mode.
But it no not seems to work as I expected, or may be mycamera was faulty?

When I switch to Snap Focus, I get two settings: the Snap distance and the DOF level (1, 2, or 3).
With DOF 3, the GR shows a green focus bar extending to infinity.
To me, that should mean the image will be in focus — and sharp — from the indicated distance up to infinity.
But that’s not what I’m seeing: photos taken in Snap Focus mode are not sharp at infinity, and look quite soft compared to those taken with autofocus.

For example, if I select a 2 m Snap distance, the camera automatically sets f/8, but the resulting image still isn’t sharp (same issue with other distances).
To get a sharp result, I need to switch to Av mode, select Snap Focus in the focus modes, and then manually choose f/8 but with a Snap distance of 3.5 m or 5 m.

So my questions are:

1) Is this normal behavior? (Maybe Ricoh chose a too tight aperture for Snap distance that do not allow sharp image everywhere).

2) Or could it indicate a calibration issue with my camera?

Note: I went to the Ricoh booth of the Salon de la Photo in Paris to try the GR IV and I noticed the same behavior with the first GR I tried... impossible to get distant subjects in focus in Snap mode... (2m f/8) but the second GR seems to work as I expected and image was perfectly sharp with the same settings.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Below are a sample:
- First image is taken with snap focus (2m f8). It is no sharp at all from foreground to background.
- Second is perfectly sharp. It is taken with focus to infinity (but I got similar results when using Auto focus).
Basically, all my images taken in snap focus look like the first image If this is normal behavior, I do not get the point of using the (automatic) Snap Focus mode.

Snap Focus 2m f/8 (tripod) - Not sharp

Focus infinity (tripod) - Sharp

 

[dv9973]

Hi all,
I’m new to the GR series and just got a Ricoh GR IV.
One of the main features I was looking for was the Snap Focus mode.
But it no not seems to work as I expected, or may be mycamera was faulty?

When I switch to Snap Focus, I get two settings: the Snap distance and the DOF level (1, 2, or 3).
With DOF 3, the GR shows a green focus bar extending to infinity.
To me, that should mean the image will be in focus — and sharp — from the indicated distance up to infinity.
But that’s not what I’m seeing: photos taken in Snap Focus mode are not sharp at infinity, and look quite soft compared to those taken with autofocus.

For example, if I select a 2 m Snap distance, the camera automatically sets f/8, but the resulting image still isn’t sharp (same issue with other distances).
To get a sharp result, I need to switch to Av mode, select Snap Focus in the focus modes, and then manually choose f/8 but with a Snap distance of 3.5 m or 5 m.

So my questions are:

1) Is this normal behavior? (Maybe Ricoh chose a too tight aperture for Snap distance that do not allow sharp image everywhere).

2) Or could it indicate a calibration issue with my camera?

Note: I went to the Ricoh booth of the Salon de la Photo in Paris to try the GR IV and I noticed the same behavior with the first GR I tried... impossible to get distant subjects in focus in Snap mode... (2m f/8) but the second GR seems to work as I expected and image was perfectly sharp with the same settings.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Below are a sample:
- First image is taken with snap focus (2m f8). It is no sharp at all from foreground to background.
- Second is perfectly sharp. It is taken with focus to infinity (but I got similar results when using Auto focus).
Basically, all my images taken in snap focus look like the first image If this is normal behavior, I do not get the point of using the (automatic) Snap Focus mode.


Snap Focus 2m f/8 (tripod) - Not sharp


Focus infinity (tripod) - Sharp

Its OK. Read about DOF in Wikipedia. It is about reasonable focus. Don't expect perfect focus.

 

[Managarm]

Hi all,
I’m new to the GR series and just got a Ricoh GR IV.
One of the main features I was looking for was the Snap Focus mode.
But it no not seems to work as I expected, or may be mycamera was faulty?

When I switch to Snap Focus, I get two settings: the Snap distance and the DOF level (1, 2, or 3).
With DOF 3, the GR shows a green focus bar extending to infinity.
To me, that should mean the image will be in focus — and sharp — from the indicated distance up to infinity.
But that’s not what I’m seeing: photos taken in Snap Focus mode are not sharp at infinity, and look quite soft compared to those taken with autofocus.

For example, if I select a 2 m Snap distance, the camera automatically sets f/8, but the resulting image still isn’t sharp (same issue with other distances).
To get a sharp result, I need to switch to Av mode, select Snap Focus in the focus modes, and then manually choose f/8 but with a Snap distance of 3.5 m or 5 m.

So my questions are:

1) Is this normal behavior? (Maybe Ricoh chose a too tight aperture for Snap distance that do not allow sharp image everywhere).

2) Or could it indicate a calibration issue with my camera?

Note: I went to the Ricoh booth of the Salon de la Photo in Paris to try the GR IV and I noticed the same behavior with the first GR I tried... impossible to get distant subjects in focus in Snap mode... (2m f/8) but the second GR seems to work as I expected and image was perfectly sharp with the same settings.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Below are a sample:
- First image is taken with snap focus (2m f8). It is no sharp at all from foreground to background.
- Second is perfectly sharp. It is taken with focus to infinity (but I got similar results when using Auto focus).
Basically, all my images taken in snap focus look like the first image If this is normal behavior, I do not get the point of using the (automatic) Snap Focus mode.


Snap Focus 2m f/8 (tripod) - Not sharp


Focus infinity (tripod) - Sharp

First of all depth of field scales on the Ricohs and pretty much every other camera or lens too are based on classic values for depth of field calculations. These use a much larger circle of confusion than necessary for close to pixel perfect sharpness on today’s sensor resolutions – even on the low res ones. In order to get more „contemporary“ resolution images when zone focusing, you need to use more stringent values which basically means stopping down the aperture more than these scales recommend (1–2 stops is usually fine) or use a more narrow zone.

In the case Focus Distance Priority’s results (which are not meant for critical sharpness) are not sharp enough for your use cases (based on above reasoning), either set longer focus distances or (better) just use the normal Snap Focus function and set focus distance and aperture value for yourself. That way – with the correct settings for your desired circle of confusion – everything will be fine. At f/8 and 2 m focus distance 18.3 mm lenses on APS-C sensors simply will not give you the critical sharpness at infinity you expect.

 

[DavidB77]

Hi all,
I’m new to the GR series and just got a Ricoh GR IV.
One of the main features I was looking for was the Snap Focus mode.
But it no not seems to work as I expected, or may be mycamera was faulty?

When I switch to Snap Focus, I get two settings: the Snap distance and the DOF level (1, 2, or 3).
With DOF 3, the GR shows a green focus bar extending to infinity.
To me, that should mean the image will be in focus — and sharp — from the indicated distance up to infinity.
But that’s not what I’m seeing: photos taken in Snap Focus mode are not sharp at infinity, and look quite soft compared to those taken with autofocus.

For example, if I select a 2 m Snap distance, the camera automatically sets f/8, but the resulting image still isn’t sharp (same issue with other distances).
To get a sharp result, I need to switch to Av mode, select Snap Focus in the focus modes, and then manually choose f/8 but with a Snap distance of 3.5 m or 5 m.

So my questions are:

1) Is this normal behavior? (Maybe Ricoh chose a too tight aperture for Snap distance that do not allow sharp image everywhere).

2) Or could it indicate a calibration issue with my camera?

Note: I went to the Ricoh booth of the Salon de la Photo in Paris to try the GR IV and I noticed the same behavior with the first GR I tried... impossible to get distant subjects in focus in Snap mode... (2m f/8) but the second GR seems to work as I expected and image was perfectly sharp with the same settings.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Below are a sample:
- First image is taken with snap focus (2m f8). It is no sharp at all from foreground to background.
- Second is perfectly sharp. It is taken with focus to infinity (but I got similar results when using Auto focus).
Basically, all my images taken in snap focus look like the first image If this is normal behavior, I do not get the point of using the (automatic) Snap Focus mode.


Snap Focus 2m f/8 (tripod) - Not sharp


Focus infinity (tripod) - Sharp

First of all depth of field scales on the Ricohs and pretty much every other camera or lens too are based on classic values for depth of field calculations. These use a much larger circle of confusion than necessary for close to pixel perfect sharpness on today’s sensor resolutions – even on the low res ones. In order to get more „contemporary“ resolution images when zone focusing, you need to use more stringent values which basically means stopping down the aperture more than these scales recommend (1–2 stops is usually fine) or use a more narrow zone.

In the case Focus Distance Priority’s results (which are not meant for critical sharpness) are not sharp enough for your use cases (based on above reasoning), either set longer focus distances or (better) just use the normal Snap Focus function and set focus distance and aperture value for yourself. That way – with the correct settings for your desired circle of confusion – everything will be fine. At f/8 and 2 m focus distance 18.3 mm lenses on APS-C sensors simply will not give you the critical sharpness at infinity you expect.

Thanks for confirming that. Look like I will stay away from the Sn mode and do snap focus manually. I can get the DoF I want with f/8 and 5m or Infinity.

Too bad... The Sn mode looked interesting on the paper, but Ricoh should have added a fourth option (DOF4) with proper aperture to get everything in good focus.

 

[Managarm]

Hi all,
I’m new to the GR series and just got a Ricoh GR IV.
One of the main features I was looking for was the Snap Focus mode.
But it no not seems to work as I expected, or may be mycamera was faulty?

When I switch to Snap Focus, I get two settings: the Snap distance and the DOF level (1, 2, or 3).
With DOF 3, the GR shows a green focus bar extending to infinity.
To me, that should mean the image will be in focus — and sharp — from the indicated distance up to infinity.
But that’s not what I’m seeing: photos taken in Snap Focus mode are not sharp at infinity, and look quite soft compared to those taken with autofocus.

For example, if I select a 2 m Snap distance, the camera automatically sets f/8, but the resulting image still isn’t sharp (same issue with other distances).
To get a sharp result, I need to switch to Av mode, select Snap Focus in the focus modes, and then manually choose f/8 but with a Snap distance of 3.5 m or 5 m.

So my questions are:

1) Is this normal behavior? (Maybe Ricoh chose a too tight aperture for Snap distance that do not allow sharp image everywhere).

2) Or could it indicate a calibration issue with my camera?

Note: I went to the Ricoh booth of the Salon de la Photo in Paris to try the GR IV and I noticed the same behavior with the first GR I tried... impossible to get distant subjects in focus in Snap mode... (2m f/8) but the second GR seems to work as I expected and image was perfectly sharp with the same settings.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Below are a sample:
- First image is taken with snap focus (2m f8). It is no sharp at all from foreground to background.
- Second is perfectly sharp. It is taken with focus to infinity (but I got similar results when using Auto focus).
Basically, all my images taken in snap focus look like the first image If this is normal behavior, I do not get the point of using the (automatic) Snap Focus mode.


Snap Focus 2m f/8 (tripod) - Not sharp


Focus infinity (tripod) - Sharp

First of all depth of field scales on the Ricohs and pretty much every other camera or lens too are based on classic values for depth of field calculations. These use a much larger circle of confusion than necessary for close to pixel perfect sharpness on today’s sensor resolutions – even on the low res ones. In order to get more „contemporary“ resolution images when zone focusing, you need to use more stringent values which basically means stopping down the aperture more than these scales recommend (1–2 stops is usually fine) or use a more narrow zone.

In the case Focus Distance Priority’s results (which are not meant for critical sharpness) are not sharp enough for your use cases (based on above reasoning), either set longer focus distances or (better) just use the normal Snap Focus function and set focus distance and aperture value for yourself. That way – with the correct settings for your desired circle of confusion – everything will be fine. At f/8 and 2 m focus distance 18.3 mm lenses on APS-C sensors simply will not give you the critical sharpness at infinity you expect.

Thanks for confirming that. Look like I will stay away from the Sn mode and do snap focus manually. I can get the DoF I want with f/8 and 5m or Infinity.

Too bad... The Sn mode looked interesting on the paper, but Ricoh should have added a fourth option (DOF4) with proper aperture to get everything in good focus.

I agree, that addition would be nice. The downside is that you will either have a narrower focus zone (with larger focus distance) or need to close down the aperture more. Both can be a bigger disadvantage in some situations than somewhat less sharpness. So in the end in real life it’s often a compromise.

I use Snap Distance Priority for scenes where I don’t need critical sharpness and Snap Focus when I do. Both functions have their use cases. I have set the switch between AF and Snap Focus on the Fn button, so it can be even faster activated than Snap Distance Priority on the mode dial.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

David, I have been with the GRD/GR since the first GRD. Snap focus was initially a way to compensate for slow and also difficult manual focus. With the smaller sensor of the day it was easier to provide extended in-focus dof. There is no special "magic'" in it other than it being a traditional Ricoh offering.

I have never warmed to Snap Focus myself - it hasn't left me feeling that I have missed out. As the sensor is now larger it no longer packing such a wide dof possibility. So Snap focus has became more complicated. It can be good as a preset focus mode to give effective instant captures. However anyone can do this with any manually focused lens on any digital camera. Yet the vast majority of users still plump for Auto-Focus and 99% of the time this is considered fast enough for most purposes no matter what gear is in question.

So the easiest way to think of Snap Focus is as a preset set of focus combinations that allow instant image captures in certain situations just as if we were using another camera with a manual focus lens whilst using zone focus.

I have always thought the GRD/GR as a camera for the thinking user who wishes to learn more about photography. It gives you the tools and you learn to use them where necessary. Snap Focus is a system for when you are in a hurry but the camera still has auto-focus facilities for normal measured pace photography. The full facility offered for Snap Focus should be explored and understood but it is not a photographic panacea.

 

[sevresbabylone]

. Snap Focus is a system for when you are in a hurry but the camera still has auto-focus facilities for normal measured pace photography. The full facility offered for Snap Focus should be explored and understood but it is not a photographic panacea.

I am someone who uses snap focus most of the time. Probably more than camera size, it is the reason I have been buying and using Ricohs since the smaller sensor GRD2. Much of my shooting these days is shooting music performances in small clubs, generally at distances of 5 to 15 feet, but I also shoot some street. I am not trying to get sharp focus from near objects to infinity though. I tried the new snap focus mode on the mode dial, but in the short time I have owned the GR IV did not get comfortable with it, and am reverting back to my old system which took advantage of th GR’s feature of making it easy to customize buttons. Because I never used the drive button for anything other than single shots, I made that the ISO button. Having freed the ISO button, I made the ISO button a toggle between snap focus and auto focus. I made it so if you if you pressed and held the MACRO button you could change the snap focus distance. The problem with that last customization is that often I would end up turning macro on, so I am experimenting with customizing the FUNCTION button instead for adjusting snap focus distance. If one shoots autofocus a lot, this system has a disadvantage because you lose the ability to use those directional buttons to move the focus point. For those occasions when I need to do that, I use the touchscreen.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

. Snap Focus is a system for when you are in a hurry but the camera still has auto-focus facilities for normal measured pace photography. The full facility offered for Snap Focus should be explored and understood but it is not a photographic panacea.

I am someone who uses snap focus most of the time. Probably more than camera size, it is the reason I have been buying and using Ricohs since the smaller sensor GRD2. Much of my shooting these days is shooting music performances in small clubs, generally at distances of 5 to 15 feet, but I also shoot some street. I am not trying to get sharp focus from near objects to infinity though. I tried the new snap focus mode on the mode dial, but in the short time I have owned the GR IV did not get comfortable with it, and am reverting back to my old system which took advantage of th GR’s feature of making it easy to customize buttons. Because I never used the drive button for anything other than single shots, I made that the ISO button. Having freed the ISO button, I made the ISO button a toggle between snap focus and auto focus. I made it so if you if you pressed and held the MACRO button you could change the snap focus distance. The problem with that last customization is that often I would end up turning macro on, so I am experimenting with customizing the FUNCTION button instead for adjusting snap focus distance. If one shoots autofocus a lot, this system has a disadvantage because you lose the ability to use those directional buttons to move the focus point. For those occasions when I need to do that, I use the touchscreen.

We all customise in our own manner.

I am missing the little book that Ricoh always used to provide with their cameras. The devil was in the notes under functions. Often by reading these carefully we could really enhance these little wonders. Ricoh of course is not alone however I am a bit tired of mass printing camera manuals and as the GRIV is pretty straight-forward I am not sure which bits I should be paying more attention to. Nor am I very good at looking up things manual on my phone or computer. I am old fashioned enough to prefer a full manual in a book form.

The only snap that particularly interests me is the one where a custom distance can be set. Looking at the camera menu there are now seven fixed distances that can be set plus infinity. Things have come a long way from when the original GRD with its much smaller sensor relied on the greater dof that the sensor provided.

However it is a useful function and can be used constructively in certain situations.

I have set the video button on the side of the camera to call up the crop sensor zoom function which goes a small way in giving a fixed wide prime lensed body a little more capture versatility. Otherwise I have left the default settings so far.

I can't help comparing the Panasonic touch screen that adds five customisable soft keys to the other settings. Of course the drop down five slot menu offered by the clicking rear wheel is a Ricoh GRD/GR feature of long standing.

I note that Snap can be reached via the mode wheel, the rear wheel click and the menu system. I have forgotten how to set up custom snap and somehow I can also adjust the dof to enhance the snap-look.

 

[Promeneur]

Could it be shutter shock due to how Snap Focus and Snap Distance Priority are written into the firmware and then trigger the shutter? Just as some manual lenses have focus throw issues and are hard to work with, maybe infinity isn't really infinity in the firmware.

As your test is on a tripod, is shake reduction turned off?

Perhaps repeating the test by raising the ISO and a minimum shutter speed to 1/125 sec.
It's all I can think of. I shoot a lot of hyperfocal distance and am generally pleased with the outcome on my GRIIIx. I do not have the GRIV yet, but the principles should be the same.

I haven't used a tripod with a GR, but maybe you could do a test without one as well to gather more information. I think a lot of people here would be interested in knowing what you learn on further experimentation.

By the way, you have some really nice work in your store!

 

[Tom Caldwell]

I had this custom distance "version" of Snap Focus circulating in my brain. But my "knowledge" is ancient and only lasted to the GRDIV and GR. It is not up to date so when I went looking for a custom focus distance for snap focus for the GRIV it was simply not there.

Checking the GRDIV manual has been an enlightenment.

The GRDIV had a re-release of the little "PDAF" focus window of the early Ricoh bodies (think GRD original and early R series bodies) where an emitter sent out a signal and it was distanced by the bounce back into the other window. I have not studied how it worked but presume that it had a similar type of technology to the PDAF sensor inside the SLR/DSLR type. Only that this particular window was fitted to the top front of the camera body and not a through-lens device. It therefore had its limitations as a focusing device. However it could obviously "see generally" a large object in front of the camera body. Then in noram; AF used further hybrid-focused the precision by CDAF.

That said, the GR did not continue with this focusing aid.

However Page 60 of the GRDIV manual offers just four snap focus distances (smaller sensor greater dof?) plus the usual infinity and another called "Auto".

In one of the very useful Ricoh manual commentaries on the GRDIV Snap Focus at the bottom of the page it elucidates "If Auto is selected for snap focus distance the camera focuses according to the focus distance measured by the external AF sensor*. " ie: does not wait to confirm precise focus by hybrid CDAF. This is very quick and useful custom Snap Focus.

I have made a hand written note at the time as an aid to my memory: "Optional Auto Focus Distance Display needs Snap Focus = Auto". ie: the user does not get to see the distance scale approximation unless the camera was set to Auto.

* "external AF sensor = what I called little "PDAF" focus window - this of course, when in Auto Snap Focus setting, was giving a custom Snap Focus based on the reading from the "external AF sensor". Something not replicated in the GR models. It might be arguable that is is not needed with see-through-lens on-sensor PDAF. For why? Well "Auto" in this case would be "proper" Auto Focus and not a snap focus at all. Ah-hah! - Snap Focus is now a heritage facility for those that can use it fruitfully.

Therefore it seems that the GRDIV as the last of the small sensor GRD-type camera bodies was a technical tour de force for the Ricoh engineers who not only resurrected early GRD technology in this camera but added image stabilisation that was not available in time for the early GR models. Furthermore it still offered the extreme close focus capability of the macro that was lost (for a time) in the GR.

Second hand GRDIV cameras just increased in collectable value .... . But it is all about the size of the sensor .... ennit?

 

[DavidB77]

It’s not shutter shock — it must be the hyperfocal “acceptable” sharpness that just isn’t acceptable to me.

Or, as others have pointed out, the Sn mode isn’t what I thought it was: it’s for focusing on a nearby subjects with some margin for error, not for getting everything sharp from near to far as I thought.

Anyway, I’ve found a setup that works perfectly for me. For landscapes, I just set the focus to infinity and shoot at f/8 — that gives me tack-sharp images from corner to corner without thinking about focus. And if I need to focus on something closer, I simply use autofocus.

With this setup, the camera is a joy to use and it produce images that are as good or better as my best Pentax DA* glasses

In the end, the only downsides I've found about the GR IV are the battery life, and the charge time. I'll probably need to buy a few spare batteries and the official charger.

PS: and thanks for your words about my store

 

[DougOB]

Hi all,
I’m new to the GR series and just got a Ricoh GR IV.
One of the main features I was looking for was the Snap Focus mode.
But it no not seems to work as I expected, or may be mycamera was faulty?

When I switch to Snap Focus, I get two settings: the Snap distance and the DOF level (1, 2, or 3).
With DOF 3, the GR shows a green focus bar extending to infinity.
To me, that should mean the image will be in focus — and sharp — from the indicated distance up to infinity.
But that’s not what I’m seeing: photos taken in Snap Focus mode are not sharp at infinity, and look quite soft compared to those taken with autofocus.

For example, if I select a 2 m Snap distance, the camera automatically sets f/8, but the resulting image still isn’t sharp (same issue with other distances).
To get a sharp result, I need to switch to Av mode, select Snap Focus in the focus modes, and then manually choose f/8 but with a Snap distance of 3.5 m or 5 m.

So my questions are:

1) Is this normal behavior? (Maybe Ricoh chose a too tight aperture for Snap distance that do not allow sharp image everywhere).

2) Or could it indicate a calibration issue with my camera?

Note: I went to the Ricoh booth of the Salon de la Photo in Paris to try the GR IV and I noticed the same behavior with the first GR I tried... impossible to get distant subjects in focus in Snap mode... (2m f/8) but the second GR seems to work as I expected and image was perfectly sharp with the same settings.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Below are a sample:
- First image is taken with snap focus (2m f8). It is no sharp at all from foreground to background.
- Second is perfectly sharp. It is taken with focus to infinity (but I got similar results when using Auto focus).
Basically, all my images taken in snap focus look like the first image If this is normal behavior, I do not get the point of using the (automatic) Snap Focus mode.


Snap Focus 2m f/8 (tripod) - Not sharp


Focus infinity (tripod) - Sharp

First of all depth of field scales on the Ricohs and pretty much every other camera or lens too are based on classic values for depth of field calculations. These use a much larger circle of confusion than necessary for close to pixel perfect sharpness on today’s sensor resolutions – even on the low res ones. In order to get more „contemporary“ resolution images when zone focusing, you need to use more stringent values which basically means stopping down the aperture more than these scales recommend (1–2 stops is usually fine) or use a more narrow zone.

In the case Focus Distance Priority’s results (which are not meant for critical sharpness) are not sharp enough for your use cases (based on above reasoning), either set longer focus distances or (better) just use the normal Snap Focus function and set focus distance and aperture value for yourself. That way – with the correct settings for your desired circle of confusion – everything will be fine. At f/8 and 2 m focus distance 18.3 mm lenses on APS-C sensors simply will not give you the critical sharpness at infinity you expect.

Thanks for confirming that. Look like I will stay away from the Sn mode and do snap focus manually. I can get the DoF I want with f/8 and 5m or Infinity.

Too bad... The Sn mode looked interesting on the paper, but Ricoh should have added a fourth option (DOF4) with proper aperture to get everything in good focus.

Similarly I like the idea of the Sn mode more than I use it, however I recently found a situation where it was perfect. I was touring an old castle (inside) where the light was dim so the AF was problematic. So I switched to Snap Focus Priority Mode. If I was taking a picture of a large chamber I would set the distance to 3.5 or 5m and DOF3. If I was taking a picture of an artifact then the distance would be 1 to 2m, and typically DOF2. A good use case.

Doug

 

[sprocket-docket]

It’s not shutter shock — it must be the hyperfocal “acceptable” sharpness that just isn’t acceptable to me.

Or, as others have pointed out, the Sn mode isn’t what I thought it was: it’s for focusing on a nearby subjects with some margin for error, not for getting everything sharp from near to far as I thought.

Anyway, I’ve found a setup that works perfectly for me. For landscapes, I just set the focus to infinity and shoot at f/8 — that gives me tack-sharp images from corner to corner without thinking about focus. And if I need to focus on something closer, I simply use autofocus.
With this setup, the camera is a joy to use and it produce images that are as good or better as my best Pentax DA* glasses
In the end, the only downsides I've found about the GR IV are the battery life, and the charge time. I'll probably need to buy a few spare batteries and the official charger.
PS: and thanks for your words about my store

No zone focus set to 2m will have a truly sharp infinity focus. Film grain hid a lot of the imperfections back in the day, plus we didn't view images at 100% back then.

I really enjoy that the GR has infinity focus available in the snap focus scale, and I used that a good bit with my GRIII to take landscape photos or shots from a moving car, where autofocus might struggle. As others have mentioned, take the "acceptable focus" zone with a grain of salt.

I'm also not a huge fan of the mode which presets aperture for you. I like the training wheels to be off - my setup was to use the Fn button to toggle snap AF mode, the side button to bring up the scale for quick changes, and the "shutter button confirmation" to on, so I could hit very few buttons to quickly change focus distance along the zones. I also had touchscreen set to both focus and take the photo, so if I wanted AF I could just tap the screen where I wanted it to be in focus.

 

[DavidB77]

Hi all,
I’m new to the GR series and just got a Ricoh GR IV.
One of the main features I was looking for was the Snap Focus mode.
But it no not seems to work as I expected, or may be mycamera was faulty?

When I switch to Snap Focus, I get two settings: the Snap distance and the DOF level (1, 2, or 3).
With DOF 3, the GR shows a green focus bar extending to infinity.
To me, that should mean the image will be in focus — and sharp — from the indicated distance up to infinity.
But that’s not what I’m seeing: photos taken in Snap Focus mode are not sharp at infinity, and look quite soft compared to those taken with autofocus.

For example, if I select a 2 m Snap distance, the camera automatically sets f/8, but the resulting image still isn’t sharp (same issue with other distances).
To get a sharp result, I need to switch to Av mode, select Snap Focus in the focus modes, and then manually choose f/8 but with a Snap distance of 3.5 m or 5 m.

So my questions are:

1) Is this normal behavior? (Maybe Ricoh chose a too tight aperture for Snap distance that do not allow sharp image everywhere).

2) Or could it indicate a calibration issue with my camera?

Note: I went to the Ricoh booth of the Salon de la Photo in Paris to try the GR IV and I noticed the same behavior with the first GR I tried... impossible to get distant subjects in focus in Snap mode... (2m f/8) but the second GR seems to work as I expected and image was perfectly sharp with the same settings.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Below are a sample:
- First image is taken with snap focus (2m f8). It is no sharp at all from foreground to background.
- Second is perfectly sharp. It is taken with focus to infinity (but I got similar results when using Auto focus).
Basically, all my images taken in snap focus look like the first image If this is normal behavior, I do not get the point of using the (automatic) Snap Focus mode.


Snap Focus 2m f/8 (tripod) - Not sharp


Focus infinity (tripod) - Sharp

First of all depth of field scales on the Ricohs and pretty much every other camera or lens too are based on classic values for depth of field calculations. These use a much larger circle of confusion than necessary for close to pixel perfect sharpness on today’s sensor resolutions – even on the low res ones. In order to get more „contemporary“ resolution images when zone focusing, you need to use more stringent values which basically means stopping down the aperture more than these scales recommend (1–2 stops is usually fine) or use a more narrow zone.

In the case Focus Distance Priority’s results (which are not meant for critical sharpness) are not sharp enough for your use cases (based on above reasoning), either set longer focus distances or (better) just use the normal Snap Focus function and set focus distance and aperture value for yourself. That way – with the correct settings for your desired circle of confusion – everything will be fine. At f/8 and 2 m focus distance 18.3 mm lenses on APS-C sensors simply will not give you the critical sharpness at infinity you expect.

Thanks for confirming that. Look like I will stay away from the Sn mode and do snap focus manually. I can get the DoF I want with f/8 and 5m or Infinity.

Too bad... The Sn mode looked interesting on the paper, but Ricoh should have added a fourth option (DOF4) with proper aperture to get everything in good focus.

Similarly I like the idea of the Sn mode more than I use it, however I recently found a situation where it was perfect. I was touring an old castle (inside) where the light was dim so the AF was problematic. So I switched to Snap Focus Priority Mode. If I was taking a picture of a large chamber I would set the distance to 3.5 or 5m and DOF3. If I was taking a picture of an artifact then the distance would be 1 to 2m, and typically DOF2. A good use case.

Doug

Ah yes, in dark interior it must be very helpful! Thx for the suggestion.

 

[Promeneur]

It’s not shutter shock — it must be the hyperfocal “acceptable” sharpness that just isn’t acceptable to me.

Or, as others have pointed out, the Sn mode isn’t what I thought it was: it’s for focusing on a nearby subjects with some margin for error, not for getting everything sharp from near to far as I thought.

Anyway, I’ve found a setup that works perfectly for me. For landscapes, I just set the focus to infinity and shoot at f/8 — that gives me tack-sharp images from corner to corner without thinking about focus. And if I need to focus on something closer, I simply use autofocus.
With this setup, the camera is a joy to use and it produce images that are as good or better as my best Pentax DA* glasses

Excellent that you have confirmed this. I can see you know your Pentax glass. It's reassuring when someone does a careful evaluation of a new camera.

In the end, the only downsides I've found about the GR IV are the battery life, and the charge time. I'll probably need to buy a few spare batteries and the official charger.
PS: and thanks for your words about my store

Cheers